Construction consultancy Turner & Townsend has secured a deal to lead for two major projects at Durham University .

The university has created the Durham University estate masterplan 2017–2027, which includes the creation of a new centre for teaching and learning and an enhanced sports park.

The centre for teaching and learning, at Lower Mountjoy, will be an 8,000 sqm facility, housing state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities including lecture theatres, teaching rooms, seminar rooms, education labs for developing new teaching and training methods, student learning zones and catering facilities.

Outside term-time, it will also be available to host academic conferences.

Meanwhile the enhanced Maiden Castle Sports Park will have a new 3G football and rugby pitch and two new water-based hockey pitches.

The existing building will be extended to include an indoor sports hall, cricket facility and indoor tennis courts. It is anticipated all work would be completed by autumn 2018.

Independent professional services company Turner & Townsend, a global firm with offices in the North East, together with Newcastle architects Faulkner Browns, engineer Buro Happold, landscape architect LUC and planning consultant DPP One, has been selected to take on the responsibility from design through completion and commissioning of the two schemes.

The university masterplan provides a guide as to how the university might develop its estate over the long-term. It has already been subject to extensive consultation, including four days of consultation in Durham City and Stockton in October 2016.

Turner & Townsend will deliver a full service for both schemes including project management and cost consultancy with overall responsibility for commissioning including architecture, landscaping, planning, civil & structural engineering, building services engineering, fire engineering, whole life costings and environmental assessment BREEAM.

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David Gardner, director for Turner & Townsend, said: “We are thrilled to be working closely with Durham University to create high-value design solutions. The university is renowned for its world-class teaching and research, and we are delighted to support with the delivery of buildings and sport facilities.

“Our team not only has the strength and depth of experience but also the capability and capacity to deliver two large but distinct types of scheme concurrently.

“Our strong relationship with Durham University has meant we fully understand the sensitivities of carrying out major works and the potential impact on staff, students and the local community. The big challenge is to continue to deliver cost-effective schemes.”

Jane Robinson, chief operating officer of Durham University, added: “We are very pleased to appoint Turner & Townsend and look forward to working with them on these very important projects.

“In order to continue to attract and retain high-calibre staff and students, Durham University needs to ensure that its excellent reputation for research, education and the student experience is matched by a high-quality estate.”